Update On The Terrorist Attack In New Zealand

Obviously I’ve been very close to migrant communities in Christchurch. I was a member of Parliament, minister of immigration. I’ve had a very long and close association with many people, with many Muslim people … The family and friends of all of those who have been affected today, just my heart goes out to you. I know that people around the world have been reaching out to me this afternoon to pass on their love and support and caring for the situation that we find ourselves in.

It looks as if this was a very deliberate, cold, hard and deliberate, decision to undertake this attack in the first place. But to choose Christchurch to prove to the world that nowhere was safe, and to choose Christchurch in that way, I guess, shows the randomness … The act of terrorism is designed to cause terror and the only way that we can combat that force is to join together and to care for each other across religious lines, every line that you can imagine that we divide ourselves by. We’ve got to make this unite us, not divide us.

Tarrant’s manifesto cites Finsbury Park mosque attacker

Tarrant’s extremist manifesto also cites ‘Darren Osbourne’ an apparent reference to Darren Osborne who was jailed for life for his murderous attack on Muslims at London’s Finsbury Park mosque in June 2017.

It said: “I support many of those that take a stand against ethnic and cultural genocide. Luca Traini, Anders Breivik, Dylan Roof, Anton Lundin Pettersson, Darren Osbourne etc.”

Osborne was convicted of murdering Makram Ali and the attempted murders of other people in the attack. The judge said he attacked innocent people, but his particular choice to target a group wearing traditional Islamic dress reflected his “ideology of hate towards Muslims”.

Here’s more of transcript of the press conference via the Australian TV transcription site TVeeder.

Q: Are you in search of any other suspect?

We never assume that there aren’t other people involved. That’s why we’ve got immense presence out there across Canterbury and right across New Zealand, but we don’t have named or identified people that we’re looking for, but it would be wrong to assume that there is no-one else.

Q: So you’re not actively looking for any other shooter at this stage?

At this point, we are not actively looking for any identified persons.

Q: How many day, weeks, month, in the planning do you think this attack was?

I couldn’t tell you, but I think – I don’t need to tell you, this is a very well-planned event.

Q: Was explosives on the body of one of the attackers?

So I’m aware of that commentary as well. What I can say is that that person may have suggested that. We have eliminated that as a possibility. There was not – we’ve also talked about IED devices on two vehicles. I would like to clarify that and say that there were possibly two IDs on one vehicle and we’ve disabled one and we’re in the process of disabling the other, with the assistance of the Defence Force deaf.

Q: Do controlled explosions have anything to do with this investigation?

We believe not, but of course there is a real heightened sense out there in the communities.

People are being very vigilant and I congratulate them and we’ve dealt with that. Two bags that have left, they have been detonated and we don’t believe they are any further threat.

Q: Are you concerned that this event could be coordinated – there could be other events coming?

We don’t have any information to that extent, but it’s always important to take preventative precautions and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

Q: Was Christchurch Hospital targeted?

No, I think there was some early reporting of that, but it was confused with the fact that 40 people were taken there very quickly for emergency medical treatment, and it was not targeted.

Q: Obviously mosques are closed and synagogues should close, is that true?

I’m not aware that have advice, but we’re giving everyone advice to be very vigilant and take care of yourselves and report anything that you might find suspicious so we can respond immediately.

Q: Were police aware that there was a suggestion that an attack could have been planned for StPatrick’s Day?

Q: Why were these people not on a security watch list? Were they completely unknown to police?

That’s a very good question. What I want to tell you is that no agency had any information about these people, and I can also tell you that I’ve been in contact with my Australian colleagues – they have no information on them at all either. And they are assisting with our inquiries. But I can also add that part of our investigation will be to look back at every possibility to ensure that we, in law enforcement and security, didn’t miss any opportunities to prevent this horrendous event.

Q: Who carried out the shootings at Deans Avenue mosque? Was it the same person who carried out the shootings at Linwood?

Look, I would love to go into detail, but a person has been charged. For me to now go into details of who did what would not be proper.

Again, I know there is a name within the public domain, but it would be improper for me now to confirm that because a person has been charged.

Q: There was a threat on Facebook – on a Facebook page made towards the Islamic community. Are you aware that, that police had an early warning of this attack?

I’m aware of that suggestion which we’re working through at the moment. When I have absolute clarity about that, I will be sharing that.

At the Deans Avenue mosque, we now know that 41 people have lost their lives. And at the Linwood mosque, 7 have lost their lives. Of the 40 people who have been treated at Christchurch Hospital, one has now passed. So the total number of people who have died in thishorrendous event are 49.

And our hearts go out to them and all of their families, all of their friends, all of their loved ones, and I want to assure everyone that we will do our best for them

I would like to also add that so far one person, a male in his late 20s, has been charged with murder, and should appear in the Christchurch Court tomorrow morning.

Three other people were apprehended. We believe one of those persons who was armed and was at the scene may have had nothing to do with this incident, and the two other people that have been apprehended, again in possession of firearms in the general environment, we are working through to understand what their involvement is.

We have recovered a number of firearms from both of the scenes, Linwood Avenue and Deans Avenue.

I would like to assure everyone around New Zealand that every available police and emergency resource with our other government agencies and Defence Force are doing everything they can to keep our communities safe.

We have had no other threats since we responded to this incident. We are working with a wide range of community to give support to everyone who needs it.

We have staff around the country ensuring that everyone is kept safe and that includes our armed defenders and special tactics groups right across the country being very vigilant and having a presence around all of our mosques, to ensure nothing further occurs. As I said, this is an evolving situation.

We will continue to bring you as much information as we possibly can. I will answer your questions in a minute if I can, but before I do, I would like to communicate the 0800 number for people to call for more information, especially around their loved ones, and that number is 0800115019.

I would also like to commend – and some of you would have seen the brave actions on social media of police staff who responded to this incident – they have gone above and beyond their communities to apprehend at least one of these offenders. So I take my hat off to all of my staff.

Before the shooting starting, the Al Noor mosque in the New Zealand city of Christchurch was “peaceful, calm and quiet”.

“As it is when the sermon starts, you could hear a pin drop,” a man identified as Ramzan told reporters on Friday.

Then about 1.40pm during afternoon prayers, gunfire broke out.

“It started in the main room … I was in the side room, so I didn’t see who was shooting but I saw that some people were running out to my room where I was in, I saw some people had blood on their body and some people were limping,” Ramzan told reporters.

“It was at the moment I realised things were really serious.”

Forty people have been confirmed dead after shootings at two mosques Christchurch on Friday. Three suspects – including at least one Australian – are in custody and multiple explosive devices have been found attached to cars in the city.

“On behalf of the UK, my deepest condolences to the people of New Zealand after the horrifying terrorist attack in Christchurch. My thoughts are with all of those affected by this sickening act of violence.” – PM @theresa_may

Twelve operating theatres are currently in use and due to the nature of some of the injuries, many people will need multiple surgeries. There is sufficient capacity and staff at Christchurch Hospital and the police cordon has been lifted from the site, so people who need emergency health care can now attend the Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department.

We have asked for some national services, which are usually provided in Christchurch, to be diverted to other centres e.g spinal cord injury service. We are grateful for the offers of support from other DHBs and from our staff who have offered to work longer shifts, with many volunteering to come in and help.

Around 200 family members are on site awaiting news of their loved ones. Together with police we are providing support to these people.

Unless it’s essential, we ask that people don’t come to visit patients Christchurch Hospital, as we are trying to reduce the numbers of people on the hospital site.

We have representatives from the mosque and the Muslim community with us, and interpreters to assist with communications.

Women due to give birth have been contacted by the maternity team to advise them they should go to one of our community maternity units unless they need hospital level care. Lead Maternity Carers and midwives have been informed of this.

Once we have provided for the medical needs of those injured, and the wellbeing of their families and whanau, we will be able to focus on the psychosocial wellbeing of our wider Canterbury community.

We envisage we will see an increasing demand for wellbeing support over the coming days and weeks as the reality and enormity of what has happened in our city today sinks in.

New Zealand police commissioner, Mike Bush, is due to give another update in about 30 minutes at 9pm local time.

New Zealand Police(@nzpolice)

Police Commissioner Mike Bush will speak to media at 9pm this evening to provide an update on the serious firearms incident in Christchurch. Media are asked to gather at the Royal Society, Turnbull Street, Thorndon, Wellington.

Like Melbourne, Christchurch has been strengthened over generations by its proud multicultural communities. It came together to rebuild after an unprecedented earthquake. And it will come together again. To our NZ family who will be feeling shaken and shocked – arohanui.

Dan Andrews

✔@DanielAndrewsMP

Melbourne’s buildings will be lit up in New Zealand colours tonight in solidarity, and flags will be flown at half-mast tomorrow as a sign of respect.

The UK foreign minister, Jeremy Hunt, also issued a message:

Jeremy Hunt

✔@Jeremy_Hunt

Our hearts go out to the people of New Zealand following the news of this terrible act in Christchurch. NZ is one of the most peaceful, peace-loving and generous nations in the world. Your friends in the UK stand with you today in deepest sympathy.